28 New Bergen County Coronavirus Cases; Town By Town Breakdown

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Health is reporting 28 new coronavirus cases in Bergen County as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, bring the total number of cases in the county to 19, 069.

According to the NJDOH, 1,706 Bergen County residents have died from the coronavirus.

Of those 1,706 deaths, 915 happened at Bergen County long-term care facilities, not including 11 additional staff deaths. Sixty-three facilities have reported outbreaks since the beginning of the pandemic.

However, long-term care facilities in New Jersey will begin to open their doors to visitors again after months of isolation.

According to a recent Patch report, the guidance offered from the NJDOH to long-term care facilities was implemented on Sunday after looking to other states for examples of how to safely reincorporate visitation into protocols.

"We have to be extremely vigilant when we put out guidance for visitation," Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said. "But whenever we put out the guidance it is really with the thought in mind to keep it as safe as possible for these vulnerable populations."

Though individual facilities may have their own guidelines, these are the general protocols from the NJDOH:

• A resident who is suspected or confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 or quarantined for a COVID-19 exposure cannot have visitors. A resident who has tested positive is allowed visitation after they have met the criteria for discontinuation of isolation.
• There will only be two visitors permitted at a time and the visitors must remain at least 6 feet away from the resident. Both visitors and residents must wear face coverings.
• A staff member, wearing a surgical mask, must remain with the resident during the visit.
• A designated area should be established for visitors to be screened that maintains social distancing and infection control standards. If the individual has any COVID-19 symptoms, they will not be permitted to visit with a resident.
• Visitors are not allowed beyond the reception area of the facilities and restrooms will not be available to them.
• When staff are transporting the resident outdoors, they cannot be moved through any space where either positive or suspected COVID patients are cohorted. A safe distance of 6 feet distance must be maintained between other residents and staff.
• Long-term care facilities should communicate the visitor policy to residents, families, staff and others. They should receive informed consent from the resident and the visitor in writing that they are aware of the possible dangers of COVID-19 exposure and that they will comply with the facility's policies during the visit. As part of the consent form, the visitor must agree to notify the facility if they test positive for the virus or have symptoms within 14 days of visiting.

READ MORE: NJ Nursing Homes Open For Visitors—With Restrictions

HOSPITALS AND TESTING:

• Bergen County now offers drive-thru testing at Bergen Community College for any New Jersey resident with coronavirus symptoms of COVID-19. Tests are given first come, first serve from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• Teaneck has announced a new testing site at Fairleigh Dickinson University, starting May 11.
• Passaic County also offers drive-thru testing.
• Hackensack Meridian offers COVID-19 testing at its nine urgent care centers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
• Immediate care of Marlboro is offering a drive-thru COVID-19 test in the Marlboro Medical Arts site located at 479 Rt 520 in Marlboro. Testing is by appointment only at (855) 925-5467 ext 0.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center is a regional FEMA drive-thru test location and is open for testing every other day from 8 a.m. to 4pm for up to 500 persons per day. Click here for PNC Arts Test Center info and schedule.
• On every Saturday, the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS -- with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
• Central Jersey Urgent Care is testing up to 80 patients daily at Eatontown, Howell and Marlboro.

HOW IT SPREADS:

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others. Gov. Phil Murphy issued a new order requiring customers and employees wear face masks while inside essential businesses. The CDC recommends that every American wear a face mask while in public. There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses.

This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

COPING WITH COVID-19 STRESS:

• From the New Jersey Department of Health:
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news/social media
• Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly
• Get plenty of sleep; avoid alcohol/ drugs
• Do things you enjoy like baking or walking the dog
• Talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.
• Get the facts at nj.gov/health